Title: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Author: Susanna Clarke
ISBN: 978-1-4088-0344-8
First Published: 2004
Blurb:
It is 1806, the Napoleonic Wars are raging, and most people believe magic to have long since disappeared from England – until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers and becomes a celebrity overnight. When another practising magician emerges, the young and daring Jonathan Strange, he becomes Norrell’s pupil and the two join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic and soon he risks sacrificing not only his partnership with Norrell but everything else he holds dear.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, by Susanna Clarke
Review:
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is a delightful novel that is truly unique. Set in the early 19th Century, and emulating the style of period, it is triumph of imagination and research.
The novel is an alternative history, set in England over a decade spanning 1806-1817. Clarke’s research is astounding. She includes historical figures such as the Duke of Wellington and Lord Byron amongst her expansive cast of characters, and they act just as you would expect. The use of footnotes and extensive references to books about magic make it possible that there is a hidden history of magic in England, and it is readily believable.
Norrell and Strange are polar opposites. Norrell is secretive, reclusive, and stubborn, whereas Strange is open, outgoing, and stubborn. The two complement each other very well, and the way their relationship develops is one of the key plots in the novel. The supporting characters are all very believable, and fleshed out well.
There are rather a lot of sub-plots that are equally important. Whilst reading the novel through, it is a little hard to see how they all link together. As the novel draws to a close, however, all these links are neatly tied up whilst still allowing room for rather interesting interpretations. As a result of the many plot-points, the novel is rather long at just over 1000 pages. The plot can feel a little slow in places, but it is a book that should be digested slowly. Whilst not a page-turner throughout, the slower parts are very enjoyable for leisurely reading.
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell has a grand scope, but it is not epic fantasy in the way that The Lord of the Rings is. It reads more like a book by Jane Austen (Clarke does an excellent job at both emulating and parodying the writing style), but with magic and fairies mixed in. Indeed, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell is the epitome of historical-fantasy.
I would recommend the book to anybody interested in fantasy, and even those who aren’t. If you’ve read nineteenth-century novels before, then you’ll have a special appreciation for Clarke’s mastery of language and style, but it isn’t required to enjoy it. It probably isn’t suitable for younger readers, since the plot does get a little confusing, and some of the language is a little advanced. Anybody from teenagers through young adults to older readers will enjoy this novel.
I haven’t come across another book like Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, but I will keep my eyes open for more from Susanna Clarke. She has written short stories based in the same world, so there is scope for wider reading that I will look into. Overall, a fantastic book that will stick in your mind long after you’ve finished it.
Ratings:
Character: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Style: 10/10
Overall: 10/10
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